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Economics at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,064/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #316 of 351 Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$493K	$493K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.8x	10.8x	10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.3x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,800

Out-of-state: $92,840 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,752

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,500

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $43,064/yr fall 20% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 10.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,500 in median debt against $43,064 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #316 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Texas State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Texas State University

Texas State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 34,547 students in San Marcos, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

Economists $115,440/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Texas State University?

At 53/100, the score looks reasonable — but Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Texas State University?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Texas State University a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Texas State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →